Time flies whether we like it or not.
Content marketing and trends in the content marketing space are changing quickly….. but not too fast! The evolution we are seeing in content marketing, influencer marketing, AI and tech as it relates to marketing has been an uphill battle that just recently started to roll back down the hill (with momentum – but we’re so. here. for. it.)
Are you keeping up? Are you listening in? Are you reading and observing and thinking and tinkering and trying and changing and laughing and crying? Well maybe not (or maybe) crying but there is a lot that we saw happen in 2024 that will certainly carry into 2025 and beyond. So let’s talk about it.
As 2024 unfolds, staying ahead of the trends could make the difference between your content getting lost or leading the conversation. Adopting new trends and playing with how they can work for you and your organization allows you to stay competitive and in your audiences mind when they are looking for a solution that YOU provide to a problem THEY have.
So what are the content marketing trends we saw rise in 2024 that we know will continue to be a focus in 2025?
- AI-Powered Content Creation and Personalization
- Interactive and Immersive Content
- The Shift Toward “Content Depth” for SEO
- Voice Search and Conversational Content
- Sustainable and Ethical Content Practices
Let’s get to it!
First up – AI-powered content creation and personalization.
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and DALL-E are revolutionizing how marketers create content. These tools automate repetitive tasks, generate ideas, and streamline content production, saving hours of manual work. Beyond just efficiency, the demand for hyper-personalized content is at an all-time high as audiences expect brands to cater to their specific preferences, interests, and pain points.
Why It Matters: AI doesn’t just save time—it also enables brands to build deeper connections with their audience. By leveraging AI’s capabilities, businesses can deliver highly relevant, personalized experiences, fostering trust and engagement. Additionally, AI empowers marketers to experiment with ideas faster and focus on creative strategy rather than execution.
How to Apply It:
- Content Ideation and SEO Optimization: Use tools like ChatGPT or Jasper to brainstorm blog topics, generate outlines, or refine headlines and meta descriptions for SEO.
- Repetitive Task Automation: Automate email marketing workflows, social media posts, and analytics reporting to free up time for high-value tasks.
- Balance AI and Human Creativity: While AI is a powerful tool, ensure your content retains a human voice to maintain authenticity and emotional connection with your audience.
Next up – interactive and immersive content.
Interactive formats like quizzes, polls, and calculators are becoming increasingly popular for engaging audiences. Immersive experiences—such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)—are also on the rise, creating opportunities for brands to deliver unforgettable user interactions. Additionally, the growing popularity of live streams and interactive video content underscores the shift toward real-time engagement.
Why It Matters: Interactive content keeps users engaged longer, boosting dwell time on your website or social media channels. More engagement also leads to better audience retention and higher conversion rates. Immersive experiences, meanwhile, can help brands differentiate themselves, making them more memorable in a crowded digital landscape.
How to Apply It:
- Quizzes and Polls: Incorporate these elements into your blog posts or social media to drive engagement. For instance, create a quiz that helps users determine the best product or service for their needs.
- AR and VR Experiences: Develop immersive tools like virtual product trials, 360-degree tours, or augmented reality filters to showcase products or services.
- Interactive Videos: Use platforms like Vimeo or YouTube to create clickable videos that allow viewers to navigate their experience based on their preferences.
Let’s talk about the shift toward “content depth” for SEO (Love this one – this will become a more comprehensive blog after the first of the year so stay tuned!)
Search engines are now prioritizing long-form, in-depth content that provides comprehensive answers to user queries. Instead of favoring shallow, keyword-stuffed pages, Google and other search engines reward websites that demonstrate “topical authority” and depth. This shift underscores the need for detailed, valuable content that positions your brand as a go-to resource.
Why It Matters: Detailed content fosters trust, helps establish your brand as an industry authority, and significantly improves your rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs). By providing users with the depth of information they need, you also increase the likelihood of them returning to your website or sharing your content with others.
How to Apply It:
- Pillar Pages and Content Clusters: Build a central pillar page around a key topic (e.g., “Digital Marketing”) and link related, detailed blog posts to this page.
- Long-Tail Keywords: Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to identify long-tail keywords and create content that deeply answers these search queries.
- User Intent: Focus on delivering value by answering the “why” and “how” behind users’ questions, ensuring content aligns with their intent.
What’s the idea and push behind voice search and conversational content? (Ugh another blog to come on this – because it’s tied to the shift toward content depth but does require it’s own blog!)
As voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant become a staple in households, the way people search online is evolving. Voice searches are longer, conversational, and often question-based, which changes how businesses need to structure their content to rank well.
Why It Matters: With 50% of all searches projected to be voice-based by 2025, optimizing for voice search is critical to staying relevant. Voice search optimization also boosts your chances of appearing in featured snippets, which dominate SERPs and drive traffic.
How to Apply It:
- Focus on Natural Language: Create content that mimics how people speak, such as blog titles and headings in question-and-answer formats (e.g., “How does dry needling relieve pain?”).
- Leverage FAQs: Add an FAQ section to your website or blog that answers common queries related to your niche in a conversational tone.
- Optimize for Local Voice Searches: If applicable, target local keywords like “best dry needling courses near me” to capture location-based voice queries.
And lastly, let’s touch on sustainability and ethical content practices that we saw rise in 2024.
Consumers are increasingly drawn to brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. They expect transparency, inclusivity, and responsible content creation that reflects their values. Additionally, making content accessible to all users—including those with disabilities—is no longer optional; it’s a necessity.
Why It Matters: Aligning your content with ethical and sustainable values not only builds trust but also fosters long-term customer loyalty. By addressing these areas, brands can attract socially conscious audiences and stand out in competitive markets.
How to Apply It:
- Sustainability Messaging: Highlight your brand’s commitment to sustainability through blog posts, case studies, or social media campaigns.
- Accessibility: Make your content inclusive by including alt text for images, providing video captions, and ensuring your website meets accessibility standards.
- Misinformation and Transparency: Commit to fact-checking your content and clearly labeling any sponsored or affiliate content to maintain transparency with your audience.
While the how of these trends may change, we don’t expect that there will be much if any change in the “why” of these trends. For example, there are generations of kids growing up that are so savvy on a voice search they’ll never know what it’s like to have to terribly type in a word you don’t know how to spell in hopes of finding what you’re looking for. AI is already integrated in our lives (Hello Siri) in our lives in ways that we can’t go back from.
Content marketing has evolved rapidly and now we see how quickly businesses and industries adapt or get left behind. Stay curious, experiment with trends, and adapt to your audience’s evolving needs. Content marketing isn’t just about keeping up—it’s about leading the conversation.
Ready to make 2025 your year? Start applying these insights now! (Need help? Let’s jump on a call and chat about what you need support and help in and how we help businesses just like yours stay relevant and engaged with their audiences.)